COMMUNITY PARTNERS

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) was established in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein. NJISJ seeks to empower people of color in New Jersey with its cutting-edge racial and social advocacy. The Institute focuses on exposing and fixing issues of structural racism that have been embedded in communities locally in ways that can be replicable across the nation.

Gotham FC players selected the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice for the Verizon Community Shield partnership after working with the organization during the NWSL Challenge Cup. Prior to the first Challenge Cup match, Gotham FC players issued a statement surrounding Black Lives Matter and racial injustice. They announced that each player would donate to the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice every time the team scored a goal in the tournament. The commitment was part of the team’s ongoing effort to support the fight against police brutality and institutional racism in this country.

Gotham FC players, staff, and several members of the Club supporters’ group Cloud 9 were on-site Thursday, March 4, at Newark-based Greater Newark Conservancy to volunteer for the COVID-19 Emergency Food Distribution Effort.

The volunteer outing is the first effort organized by the newly formed Gotham FC Player Community Outreach Committee. The Committee features nine Gotham FC players focused on enacting change and giving back to the community.

Athlete Ally believes that everyone should have equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports — regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Their mission is to end the rampant homophobia and transphobia in sport and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQ equality.

The Gotham FC 2020 merchandise collection included a Pride Pack that came with a rainbow colored skyline t-shirt and sticker. For every Pride Pack purchase, the Club donated $10 to Athlete Ally, for a total of $1,000 in 2020.